Skin Deep Beta Review

Skin Deep by Megan D. Martin

Book Synopsis

Kiera hates being overweight and hides behind thick layers of clothing. One night, her friends present an opportunity that seems impossible to believe. With a single spell, she can have the thin physique she's always coveted.

But all magic comes with a price: no sex or she'll revert back to her old body. Kiera accepts the cost. It's not like she has men lined up at her door. Obeying this one tiny rule isn't difficult at all—until the night she meets Cain, a were-tiger and a soldier with the Eternal Forces.

When a slew of unexplained murders forces Kiera and Cain together, they'll have to face the horrors of their pasts. Will Kiera realize she is worth more than her outward appearance? Or will she make the wrong the choice and lose everything—including her life?

Shona's review 5 of 5 stars

So a while ago I hosted a cover reveal for Skin Deep and there was just something about the blurb that begged for my attention. This book literally begged me to read it. I had been talking with some other bloggers on Facebook who had also shared the cover reveal and the author mentioned that the book would be ready for Beta readers soon and I remember joking that I would love to volunteer. At the time I assumed she would already have a team ready and waiting so I was surprised when she said she'd love to take me up on my offer. A few months later and here I am, having just finished reading this book and pretty much the only coherent thought going through my head is Wow!

I loved Kiera, right from the very first page. That first chapter was horrific but it gave us a such an insight into Kiera's life at that point that it was invaluable. I know some people may feel that Kiera's reactions to her body are over the top extreme, but I think maybe some people are more comfortable with the way they look/feel. Not everyone has that and some of us have no reason to feel that way. Kiera however has every reason to feel that way. Ever since her mom died she has had people telling her she's fat, mentally abusing her at every turn. And then she ends up with a guy like Roth,  who not only mentally abuses her, but physically too. Now Kiera has not just her size to deal with, but the daily reminders in the scars on her body. To be given the chance to get away from the thing you feel has caused you so much pain, has held you back, I think most of us would take it if given the chance, I admire Kiera for taking the risk. For trying to make her life better. For trying to be happy.

Cain grated on me the first time we met. I rolled my eyes and inwardly groaned at the over the top Alpha male bedding every female that crosses his path. I remember thinking 'good luck trying to tame that beast'. Well Martin doesn't just succeed at taming him, she does it in such a way that he doesn't come across as being pussy whipped, it doesn't ever feel forced and leaves the reader (or at the very least this one) with a very attractive Alpha male who cares deeply and wants to protect the object of his desire.

I'm not going to say much more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone and I honestly don't know if any of it will change between now and the final edits. I will finish up by saying i genuinely cannot wait to read the next book in this series.